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Old 01-22-2013, 12:05 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by honkytonkinn

While I appreciate everyone input, which for the most part is encouraging, im always amazed how many people right away gravitate toward the negative and problematic aspects of doing something like this.

Regards
Rusty
Hey Rusty

I hope my comments were not considered by you to be either negative or problematic....if so... My bad /sorry. But, please remember you asked for advice! By nature, advice is both pro & con and it is often the "con" which helps you to temper your initial enthusiasm and make a sound decision.

As a result, in the future you may want to be cautious about being too quick to condemn those trying to help you...just my $0.02 worth of worthless advice.
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Old 01-22-2013, 03:23 PM   #16
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Would I use?

Of course but it depends on cost, availability, attitude, guarantee and references/reputation.

If you choose to advertise do not forget phonebook and/or craigslist etc.
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Old 01-22-2013, 03:31 PM   #17
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If you ever come to Connecticut I have a list for you.
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Old 01-22-2013, 05:23 PM   #18
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If you ever come to Connecticut I have a list for you.
Ditto for SoCal. (-:
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Old 01-22-2013, 05:46 PM   #19
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I called a nearby mobile RV repair outfit I found on the web, he did not do any engine/chassis work, only coach, but he did everything, $100. first hour, then $25. per hour after that, he had a nice, professional looking website, one aspect I like is that since he's at my place I can peer over his shoulder and see what he's doing.
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Old 01-22-2013, 06:41 PM   #20
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I have used mobile repair and mobile service guys ...mobile repair was two total failures (gave up/admitted they could not do the job after coming out and trying) and one kind of success although I later figured out the water heater plumbing was hooked up backwards. I would try again due to the convenience ...normally try to get some on line reviews before using any service place, mobile or fixed.
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Old 01-22-2013, 08:44 PM   #21
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As im a mechanic I will be doing basic mech repairs, brakes, wheel bearings, ball joints etc and electrical where applicable, however I do acknowledge that larger elec items on the 110V - 240V side should be overseen by a registered electrician.
My skill are in the 12-36V areas.
No problems with plug and play items and upgrades, tv's stereos, sound systems, charging systems and much more.
I also have installed a number of solar systems.
In the end each job has to be taken on it own merits and can be discussed with the client.
I would say so up front if I felt a job should be handled by someone with specialised skills other than mine.
In response to the plumbing someone had hooked up back to front, hard to comment but it must have been obvious to the installer something was not right.

Once again thanks to all of you for your input, this is very encouraging, yes I will post references etc where a I can, however much of my work has been in New Zealand,but as I go I can add more references from MH owners.
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Old 01-22-2013, 11:44 PM   #22
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I have used mobile service guys 4 times in the past 2 years;
1) Lost electrical power to the coach, had him remove surge protector and hard wire coach until surge protector came back, then reinstall
2) Replace control board in the rear AC unit
3) Rewire power connection to main awning
4) New valve in Thetford toilet

Nothing more valuable than a trustworthy and competent service tech. I also use mobile RV wash and wax services. Perhaps when I retire I will tackle tasks such as these but for now time is more valuable than money.

Go for it, the good techs are as busy as they want to be.
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Old 01-23-2013, 04:15 AM   #23
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I have used mobile repair services in the past. Last year while visiting NOLA our roof air crapped out. I had a mobile repair place in Kenner, LA come out and install a new unit. Well worth the money to me.

I would think advertising your services might be the hardest part. I'm not sure campgrounds would allow you soliciting for services unless you had a big sign painted on the side of your motorhome.
You didn't happen to be staying at the KOA when you had that work done were you? We were in NO last April and there was a mobile repair service replacing an AC unit on an RV while we were there.
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Old 01-23-2013, 04:20 AM   #24
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I use a local mobile repair technician for all my repairs. Since he's local I take my RV to his shop for the work so I don't get charged for travel but his work is far superior to any I've found at any dealer.
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Old 01-23-2013, 06:06 AM   #25
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I've not yet used a mobile service, but it would be my first choice for needed repairs while on vacation, or while set-up full time.
Just like a stick-and-brick repair center, customer satisfaction depends on the technician's abilities, reliability, promptness, and neatness.
I would be more inclined to use a mobile repair service that was permanently located in the area, and who had verifiable references, or was recommended by others. If you'll be a wandering mobile repair, a good website with testimonials from your customers, and a résumé of your talents will go a long way to establishing customer confidence.
I have friends in the mobile marine repair business, and it's not uncommon for them to establish relationships with marina operators to gain referrals. Yes, this means paying a finders fee (or kickback) if necessary. Sometimes just making a good impression is all that you need to be allowed to leave some flyers in the front office.
Good luck with your business!
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Old 01-23-2013, 06:15 AM   #26
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I prefer a mobile tech when it isn't a do it yourself repair within my comfort range. The huge advantage is your RV isn't sitting at a repair lot for who knows how long (and people using it for a parts house) before they get to it. And this wait is further extended when they take a week or two to get parts that one can get overnighted, to their RV, for less than the 40% markup prices on parts a repair house charges.

But if you aren't in a location for a long time the word of mouth referrals may not be much help.
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Old 01-23-2013, 06:23 AM   #27
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Several years ago I was in a large RV campgeound in Tucson AZ (cannot recall the name) and in the site next to me was a guy who had a toy hauler RV and towed a van with a sign in the van side rear windows saying mobile RV repair.

We met and he offered me a beer and we got to chartting about RV maintenance issues and he said he was retired USAF electronics technician and did RV repairs wherever he travelled. This endeavor provided them with a good income to supplement retirenent benefits. This was a real nice guy who seemed to have a tremendos amount of knowledge about RV maintenance. He showed me his workshop inside the toy hauler garage - it was extremely well equipped and organized and it was stocked with all sorts of repair tools and parts. His van was equally well equipped with the rear seats removed and sliding shelves and drawers containing more tools and equipment. It was a neat setup.

His wife came out and I found out she too was a former USAF electronics technician and was also a certified RV mechanic. Both of then were graduates of.an RV maintenance training facility and both worked at a RV dealership before they struck out on thier own mobile adventure.

They showed me a reference book with pictures of coaches they worked on. Pictures of problem areas, repair action taken and names and contact information of customers for reference. They had paper and electronic schematics and soft copies of technical info complete.with schematics for many many many (maybe hundreds) RV types. This pair was well equipped and organized.

They said they travelled all around and provided service wherever they went. Never spoke about tax or any legal issues or if they worked with cash only business transactions But in the camp office bulletin board one of his cards was there with his tel and e-mail.address.

I had thier card at the time but I since lost it, but I thought what a neat way to supplement retirement income and see the country. I did not need any maintenance, but he did sell me some new better latches for my sliding mirrors and some better latches for my drawers and he showed me things I should look out for.in my coach. (I paid cash and did not bother or ask for a receipt.)

I estimate they were in thier 60's and again a wonderful couple with more knowledge than I have found in most RV repair places. This was in 2004 and I don't know if they are still on the road or not.

But would I have used thier service. Indeed I would have and I would have worked along side them with the chance some of thier knowledge would rub off onto me. I am reasonably savvy about how any RV I have owned worked but this couple was special and it is a bad day if I don't learn something new. Been RVing since 1964 and mostly do my own repairs and modifications and still learning.

Wondered if anyone has run into this couple or if they are on this site
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Old 01-23-2013, 06:28 AM   #28
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No, we were staying at the Jude Travel Park. We used RV Masters, I can't speak highly enough about them. It was very hot and they worked me into their schedule to come out and look at my AC unit. They determined it had a "factory installed" leak in the coil. From research I'd already done I knew it was probably cheaper to replace the unit. They installed a new 15,000 BTU Dometic unit (which was larger than my original). I think the unit was around $700, there was a $100 service call charge and the labor to install. It ran around $1100. Sure, I could have taken the unit home and done it myself and saved some money, but when you're on vacation and your next stop is sunny Florida in July, you're gonna need AC

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You didn't happen to be staying at the KOA when you had that work done were you? We were in NO last April and there was a mobile repair service replacing an AC unit on an RV while we were there.
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